Wednesday, February 10, 2016

M S Shivakumar (40),
who researches and practises astrology as his passion, is a Learning &
Development professional. He has served at the top level in L&D department
of Fortune 500 companies across the globe. Shiva, a highly qualified
person and alumnus of many prestigious institutions including IIM, strongly believes that the principle
of astrology is to "Make things Happen" rather than "Watch
things happen or wonder what happened".
In an exclusive interview with K. Srinivasan, Editor in Chief, Shiva
shared some interesting aspects of astrology. Excerpts:

What is the history
of Astrology? Who first developed this
concept and when?

It is very difficult to say when the concept of astrology was
developed in India. Vedas and Upanishads
talk about the planetary movements and their impact on the human being. Many Rishis have contributed to this
knowledge. Even the Epics like Ramayana
and Mahabaratha have references about astrology. Astrology dates back to 6000 to 10000
years. Vedic Astrology is also known as Jothisha.

In ancient days, this knowledge was passed on to the disciples
through Guru Parampara. It was not available to the common men, to
prevent misuse of this concept. In those
days, there were experts, who advised the kings while taking important
decisions, based on astrology.

There are three major categories in Astrology. (1) Siddhantha
(Panchanga based), (2) Samhitha (for kings and their kingdoms) and (3) Hora (time-based prediction of events).

Parasara Maharishi conducted a detailed
study from the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and scriptures, written thousands of
years ago. He filtered and consolidated
the concept of astrology. Several
schools of thought came up later. The Parasara
school of thought is mainly followed. Jaimini, Saravali, Jathaka Parijatha, Saravartha
Chinthamani were the main schools of thought that came up later.

What is the basic concept of astrology?
How is astronomy used in astrology?

Anything that is related to the 'out of earth'
atmosphere is known as astronomy. The Study
of the connection between the Celestial (study of sky) and the Terrestrial
(study of earth) is astrology. It is
purely based on the metaphysical principle, using the mathematical
relationship. Astrology involves a lot
of mathematics. Mathematical relationship is needed to understand and express
the quality of energy of planets (sound, shape, angles, numbers, etc.)

Planets and stars emit energy of different strengths
at a variety of instances. These energy and its frequencies are the cause of
the creation, sustenance and ending of events in one's life.

Astrology involves 27 stars, 9 planets and 12 Bhavas (houses). To predict an event that can occur in future, we may need
to analyse 2916 data points for accuracy (27 x 9 x 12), which will let us know
the influence and impact of planets and stars on an event.

If a person starts learning astrology at the age of
8, dedicating 8 hours per day for 800 years continuously, he will learn only one-sixteenth
of astrology. It involves a lot of
cosmic intelligence and calculation of planetary movement.

There are three levels of consciousness – simple
consciousness (5th sense), self consciousness (6th sense) and third cosmic
consciousness (7th sense). Each
consciousness can speak to each other.

The planets in the universe communicate with each
other through light, heat, rays, neutrinos, x-rays, etc. It has a huge impact on the human neural
network. To understand cosmic consciousness, one needs cosmic intelligence.

If you see the astrologers, they normally prepare
two charts (Rasi and Navamsa), based on the date of birth,
time and place. They are called Divisional
Charts D1 and D9. These charts indicate the planetary positions at the time of
birth of a person. We can make 144 such charts to understand deeply. The charts
can be prepared from D1 to D144.

How Astrology Works?

There are three outcomes – event, experience and
environment. Events are like
occurrence of job, wedding, position, health, wealth, etc. Experience
is emotions and feelings, derived out of an event. Environment is the boundary of the limitation
within which a person's life operates.

Potential and Manifestation are the two wheels of astrology. A person may have
great knowledge about business or may be highly talented. The potential of the
person can be so high that he can make things happen and can become rich. But
in reality, if you check, he would not be able to produce success or achieve
growth. That is called manifestation.

One planet determines the skill and another planet
determines the results. One may have the potential, but if not manifested in
reality, it is of no use.

In order to make use of the best time and increase
the success rate, the branches of astrology like Kaala, Ganitha, Jaataka, Prasna, Murtha and Nimitta help.

Vidhi, Madhi and Gadhi - Vidhi is fate, what is shown in the chart. Madhi
can be utilised to escape Vidhi's
difficulties or challenges. Gadhi is known as Surrender to
Almighty.

Bucke, a Canadian psychiatrist, says "cosmic
consciousness is an interconnected way of seeing things, which is more of an
intuitive knowing than it is a factual understanding. Astrology is not just a belief but knowledge
about belief.

Action + confidence + faith = belief

It is like cautioning and helping a person to
achieve maximum potential to manifestation.

Astrology can never go wrong. An astrologer can go wrong.

Is Astrology a Science or an Art?

According to me, astrology is pure science. Today, astrology is seen as the 'Law of
Possibility' rather than the 'Law of Accuracy'. Dr. Percy Seymour conducted research
on the Mechanism of Astrology in Plymouth University (USA). He concluded that planets
move like tidal tugs; they interact with each other, and they have an impact on
human lives. He also claimed in his book titled "The Scientific Proof of
Astrology" that the movements
of the sun, the stars and the planets can influence the brains of unborn
children in measurable ways. Several
researches on astrology have been initiated in various universities across the
world.

There are scientists
who do not consider astrology as science.
Everything need not be classified under science. I feel the
opposite of science is not pseudo science, myth, spirituality or belief. I call it 'unexplored science'.

Science and spiritual belief co-existed for ages. Even today, we see many scientists who believe
in spirituality, culture and values. People who are rational are also
spiritual. It is not either science or culture, rational or spiritual. It
is a combination of both.

By positioning ourselves on both sides, we may be able to
understand the subject better. A single-sided perspective will only increase
the blind spots.

Proven science can only work within limited and restricted
grounds. Studies are still being carried out in the unexplored areas of
supernovae explosions, gamma ray bursts, and cosmic microwave background
radiation.

Although it consumes time, we need scholars to conduct more study
to bring in evidence, logic and witness behind astrology and get the fullest
benefit to mankind and take this subject to a larger audience for more fruitful
findings.

How Western Astrology Differs from Indian Astrology?

Western astrology is sun sign-based.Indian astrology is moon-based.Vedic astrology is the oldest.All other schools of thoughts, whether Indian
or Western, are derived from Vedic Astrology.

Astrology is a wonderful science that provides
guidance to maximise growth and success and minimise loss or distress. It helps you to be at right place at right
time with the right people, with the right health and the right intention,
guided by the right Guru or God
Almighty. Make use of this science and
be benefited!

Friday, December 18, 2015

It
is always a proud privilege to meet and interact with legendary iconic
achievers from different fields.Kavipriya has been nurturing this dream right from her childhood.After completing her graduation in Computer
Science and post graduation in Visual Communication, she joined a reputed B
School to pursue her MBA.

Kavipriya
had the opportunity of meeting 50 legendary and iconic achievers and interacted
with them over a period of one year. "Ever since I began writing with
a pen, I started to record my observations and my feelings in my personal
diary. Somewhere in the midst of all this was born the germ of an idea to
chronicle the lives of living legends who have impacted the world with their
ways and views." Kavipriya recalls her pleasant memories.

Living Legends and
Learning Lessons

She
joined hands with Prof. Bala Balachandran, a globally renowned Management Guru
and the Founder of Great Lakes Institute, to author a book titled 'Living
Legends, Learning Lessons'. In this book she featured 10 Indian legends like
Ratan Tata, Infosys Narayanamurthy, Adi Godrej, Philip Kotler, Deepak Chopra,
Kiran Mazumdar and few others.This book
was released at Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi. Ratan Tata and N R
Narayanamurthy launched the book at Chennai and Bengaluru respectively, in July
2015.

"Ratan
Tata is truly regal.Although he is an
industry icon respected globally, I am impressed with his simplicity and
humbleness. I was surprised when he walked up to my elderly grandparents and greeted
them during the book launch", says Kavipriya.

Kavipriya
says that she has learnt a lot at this young age, by interacting with the icons
of various fields.

She
is coming out with the second part of the book featuring the remaining of the
50 icons she had interacted with. "These icons have
such intense aura, that it is difficult not to be influenced by them",
says Kavipriya.

While
addressing the media at Bengaluru during the book launch, N R Narayanamurthy,
Founder of Infosys openly acknowledged that Kavipriya was his inspiration,
because she left a lucrative job to take up entrepreneurship and to start her
branding company.He even went to the
extent of requesting Prof. Bala to write a book about her.

Multi-talented Personality

Kavipriya
is a multi-faceted and multi-talented personality.She has been a classical dancer right from
her childhood, combining the dance forms, Kathak, Ballet and
Bharatanatyam.During her student days,
she used to visit old age homes and orphanages to perform before the
inmates.She has done more than 2000
such performances."I used to feel
happy when I could add smiles on the faces of the elderly people, and children
through my dance performances.That is
why I have named my branding company, 'Adding Smiles Pvt Ltd'." She is
engaged in CSR activities as well as personal branding, through her company.

She
had won the titles of Miss Coimbatore and Miss Teenager India
at the national level and Miss Chennai as the runner-up.She has the skill to sketch while dancing the
Kathak.The picture (left) was drawn by
her in 4 minutes during her dance performance at the talent round of Miss
Chennai Competition 2010.

Kavipriya
has appeared in nearly 75 print and television advertisements as model for
products."I have appeared as bride
in more than 90% of these advertisements.I accepted modelling assignments only where I was presented in a
dignified manner", says Kavipriya.Some of the co-models who worked with her are now popular film artistes.
Kavipriya declined acting opportunities, as she wanted to be an
entrepreneur.

She
has several role models in her life.She
admires Jayalalitha and Indira Nooyi for their administrative capabilities. She
adores Priyadarshini Govind, the dancer who sustains her energy for a long time
while dancing, even at her 60-plus age.She respects M S Subbulakshmi and Meenakshi Seshadri for their divine
beauty.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Dr Kalam Club was launched by Prime Point Srinivasan on the 69th Independence Day at Ashram Matriculation School, Coimbatore. Sixth Sense, one of the Action 2020 members based at Coimbatore have planned to start Dr Kalam Club in many of the Coimbatore Schools to seed the vision of Dr Kalam to make India a developed nation by 2020.

Ashram Matriculation School, Coimbatore came forward to start the Dr Kalam Club on the auspicious Independence Day. Prior to the launch, they conducted various competitions to create awareness about the goals of Dr Kalam. Around 100 students have volunteered to join Dr Kalam Club. They have set 10 monthly agendas for execution.

Dr C Devendran (Chairman and Correspondent), Shri Udhayendharan (Administrator and Treasurer) and Smt N Velumani Anbarasan (Principal) were enthusiastic about the effective functioning of Dr Kalam Club. As the first step, they distributed 100 saplings to the students, who would be personally maintaining the trees at their place.

In the same function, 25th edition of Tamil emagazine New Gen Thamizhan was also released by Dr C Devendran.

In the afternoon, a meeting of small time NGOs (who do not receive institutional or foreign funds) was held. Prime Point Srinivasan shared the experience of Action 2020 and requested them to create a platform to support each other.

All the above programmes were coordinated by Perur Hari, President of Sixth Sense and his team members.